For the most part, this book, which is divided into 89 mostly two-page chapters, which are then subdivided into topics such as “Riding,” “Safety,” “Health and Fitness (Don’t Confuse the Two),” and “Upkeep,” is a thorough and thoroughly enjoyable series of essays that debunk the myths and try to get riders to stop being led down the trail by the nose by manufacturers who want us all to pretend we race for a living.

Petersen wants us to have fun and get around easily, both legitimate goals for the majority of us who are not training for the Tour de France (which he refers to as “the BORAF, for Big Old Race Around France”).

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